By Duncan Farthing-Nichol

The watchers on the walls defending rights and liberties are often lawyers, yet those lawyers must ascend to their posts themselves, their legal training preparing them little for the climb. Law schools must do more.

The watchdogs of liberty must diversify their business. Private products and private services have come to dominate our lives, to induce our dependence and to encircle our worlds. If we sleep or look elsewhere, the circle may become a noose.

“We can help,” the America of today says, “we can heal your sick and feed your hungry. But only if you acquiesce to our methods and accept less so that we may profit from your misfortune.” That self-serving message in the end doesn’t even serve the self, for a friend stingy in times of need earns little loyalty.

Do we have a qualifying patient? Check. Subject to a disciplinary action? Check. By a business? Check. For medical use of marijuana? Check. Open and shut: Mr. Casias was wrongfully dismissed and must be compensated. Except the Sixth Circuit didn’t see it that way.

Given the consequences of the Farm Bill, one might surmise that Congress spends a long time weighing costs and benefits before foisting it upon us. But in the parallel universe of Washington DC, that’s not quite how things work.